Today we visited the Friends of the Katuk Odeyo Development Program (FOCODEP) in the Lake Victoria basin. This is a population dense area of more than 200 people per square kilometer. The region is challenged by population increase, environmental degradation, wide-spread unemployment and public health issues including HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.However, within this region facing such great challenges are hopeful villagers who in 2005 began partnering with World Neighbors. Three thousand people in 23 villages have taken dramatic strides in building a better life for themselves and their families. This transformational change has been brought about by:
1. identifying leaders and offering training
2. establishing 4 savings and credit groups
3. environmental, soil and water conservation
4. group development dynamics
5. livestock management
6. food preservation by dehydration
7. tree nursery establishment
8. seed bulking
9. farmer field schools
10. household or kitchen gardens
11. safe water and sanitation
Our group was very impressed by Steven, age 28. He plants trees on his father's farm to sell in prevention of erosion. On this small plot of 3 hectares his family raises goats for milk and sale, chickens, cows, mangos, cotton, bananas, sorghum, cowpeas, squash and peanuts. There is a water catchment tank for storage of clean water and a tap. They have also dug a collection pond for watering of animals and stocks. The family is especially proud of Moses, their champion ram who won a local prize. The villagers in the community hand-dug a 4 foot by 50 foot pond to raise tilapia and also have a large pond used for watering of stock and gardens. Steven is extraordinary in commitment to caring for his parents, wife, children and extended family. He is studying American History and as we bid him farewell he asked us what our thoughts were of Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address. Catching us speechless, I understood at that moment the meaning of World Neighbors message of inspiring people and strengthening communities beyond the end of the road.
- Jan Taylor
Oklahoma City, OK
